As caregivers, we usually instill morals in our kids, but often we fall short due to various reasons. A father discovered that his daughter was harassing a girl with cancer at school. The situation escalated when she forcibly removed the girl’s wig. Enraged by this, the father took matters into his own hands to discipline his daughter, sparking controversy and diverse reactions online. Criticized for his handling of the situation, he eventually removed the post.
“My former partner and I share a 16-year-old daughter, and I have sole custody since she has moved on with her new family… Recently, my daughter got in trouble in school for mocking a classmate who lost her hair due to cancer treatment. This included yanking off her wig,” he narrated in his post.
“Apparently, there was existing animosity between the two, but that doesn’t excuse her actions.”
It emerged that his daughter was now romantically involved with the ex-boyfriend of the bullied girl, leading to their strained relationship.
“The other girl mentioned that my daughter’s boyfriend was only using her for intimacy (which was surprising as I was unaware of her sexual activity) and derogatorily referred to my daughter,” the father revealed to CafeMom. “This led to the wig incident. Allegedly, they had been quarreling in class ever since my daughter started dating the boy. Essentially, trivial teenage drama.”
Upon learning of his daughter’s actions, he presented her with two disciplinary options. The first was to dispose of all her electronic devices, while the second was for her to sport a bald hairstyle from the hairdresser. She opted for the latter and attended school with a shaved head.
“…Many believe I crossed the line. Her mother was furious, claiming it would make her susceptible to bullying (which was partly the intention, to teach her empathy),” the father recounted.
He justified his actions, though not everyone agreed. Numerous individuals shared their opinions on the matter. One commentator remarked: “Your daughter is a bully because you exhibit similar behavior. I doubt this is the initial instance you’ve deployed abuse and shame to ‘educate her.'” Another stated: “Your actions amount to child abuse. Confiscating her electronics or grounding her would have sufficed. Disregarding her bodily autonomy and humiliating her is inappropriate. She is unlikely to learn and it could perpetuate bullying.”
Nevertheless, some commended his parenting style. “I fully support your decision. As her parent, you have the authority, it’s not abusive, it reflects reality. If she’s comfortable attacking someone for something beyond their control, she needs to understand the repercussions,” a supporter articulated.
“She will grasp the impact of her actions on the victim, which is a vital lesson,” another advocate remarked.
What is your take? Do you think the father’s punishment was excessive? Share your views in the comments below.
